Simple Parmesan Couscous Salad

After dinner each night, Wyatt and I have been enjoying a drink on our porch with the smell of humidity tingling our noses, the endless buzzing of bugs in the distance, and quality conversation. I’ve started to look forward to these quiet moments in each evening with him; they feel like the true Midwest summer memories I long for in the dead of winter. They also remind me of our college days when we’d hurry up to finish our homework so we could drink beer on friends’ porches. With Labor Day behind us, I’m already noticing pumpkin-spice-flavored everything showing up on end caps and fall activity guides dotting my Pinterest feed. It’s hard to image letting go of perfectly ripened tomatoes, crisp corn on the cob, and porch evenings when it’s still warm enough for lake swimming.

Keeping with my summer theme of ‘simple in the kitchen’ (because I’m not ready to let fall in), I have teamed up with Green Giant for one last post on how to whip up an easy #weeknightdatenight meal for you and your significant other (check out the other collaborative recipes here and here. Today’s post features a simple ‘pasta’ salad with the characteristics of a grain salad. The chickpeas in the salad make it hearty enough for a meal while still keeping you from feeling weighted down.

This being the last collaboration in this series with Green Giant means you have one final chance to win the Green Giant goodies basket (see photos here). The basket includes one 12-inch non-stick (PFOA-free) Calphalon fry pan, a wooden sauté paddle, love birds salt-and-pepper shakers, his & hers aprons, and two coupons for the new Green Giant Sautés. All of these goodies are perfect for your next #WeeknightDateNight! Enter anytime between now and next Monday, September 21st to get your hands on these goodies!

*NOTE: There are a ton of different couscous varieties and they all come in different sizes, which means different cooking times. Make sure to read the label or bulk bin on how to prepare the variety you’ve picked up.

Simple Parmesan Couscous Salad recipe below:

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Simple Parmesan Couscous Salad

A flavorful and simple Parmesan Couscous Salad filled with garbanzo beans, vegetables, and a squeeze of lemon.

Course:
Entree

Cuisine:
Vegetarian

Servings: 2servings

Author: Shelly Westerhausen

Ingredients

4cupscooked couscous(prepared according to manufacturer’s directions)

Juice from half a lemon

1/4cuploosely packed parsley + more for garnish

1Tablespoonolive oil

1package Green Giant Sautés Parmesan Garden Medley

1(15 oz) can of garbanzo beans, drained

1pintcherry tomatoes

1/4cupshredded Parmesan cheese

Green onions, for garnish

Two fried eggs, to serve (optional but a great addition!)

Instructions

Stir the lemon juice and parsley into the cooked couscous and set aside.

Sophie

Shellywest

September 15, 2015

Morning, Sophie! I’ve talked about this in past blog posts but I don’t think vegetarians should restrict Parmesan in their home cooking since there are a TON of easily accessible vegetarian Parmesans out there – I use Organic Valley’s Parm (usually their already shredded version) which is made without animal rennet. However, if you don’t feel comfortable with that then nutritional yeast is always a great substitute!

Sophie | The Green Life

Grace

September 15, 2015

I am all about simple suppers now that we’re finally getting a break from this heat. Being outside is all I want to do right now! This looks like the perfect dinner to quickly whip up and then enjoy outside on the porch, taking in all the fresh feels of the changing season.

Ashley

Shellywest

Jessie Snyder | Faring Well

September 16, 2015

I love your summer nights 🙂 just perfect. Hold onto them every day you can, we all know fall is coming so there is no need to be anxious about it right? Yay for living in the moment (and this delicious salad to savor those slow moments of summer)! <3